At Helpmate, we are fortunate to have the strong support of our generous community. Our collaborations with other organizations, partnerships with area businesses, the participation of many faith communities, and the ongoing philanthropy of individuals makes this work possible, and we are grateful. Contact Helpmate

This month, we launch the Safe Haven Society to recognize one group that makes a big difference for Helpmate, year in and year out. Safe Haven Society members provide support of at least $1,000 or more on an annual basis. We are especially pleased to announce that the Safe Haven Chairs are long term supporters, Ann Lewis and Don Swaby. They readily agreed to lead this effort and when asked why, each had their own reasons:

I have been fortunate in my life to be surrounded by both Gentlemen, and gentle men. However, it only took an afternoon at the Helpmate Women’s High Tea a few years ago hearing stories, statistics and facts to show me how lucky my life had been. It CAN happen to anyone. It CAN prove nearly impossible to get out of an abusive situation. And, there are very few places one can hide and find help. I have supported Helpmate in its work with domestic violence victims since that event, and I urge you to find out more about the problem and Helpmate’s collaborative solutions to addressing them. -Ann Lewis

I believe, in a civilized country it is the responsibility of those who can to try to protect the most vulnerable in that society. In the United States the most vulnerable are the very young, the very old and women who find themselves in an abusive situation. When a woman with children is abused, the children are also affected, physically, emotionally or both. The scars can last a lifetime. Helpmate is so important to our community because it stands ready to support those who cannot readily protect themselves. -Don Swaby

SheVille Team

We are a one-of-a-kind magazine that provides local, regional, national and international information about women’s lives and education, performing and visual arts and writing, the environment, green living and sustainability and regional Western North Carolina business, people and events.
“Villages preserve culture: dress, food and dance are a few examples. As villages grow in population and turn into towns, local cafes make way for large American chains. Handmade leather sandals are discarded for a pair of Western sneakers.
Due to its small size, a village fosters a tight-knit sense of community. Justpeace.org explains the meaning of the African proverb, “It takes a village,” by stating that a sense of community is critical to maintaining a healthy society.
Village members hold a wealth of information regarding their heritage: they know about the ancient traditions, methods of production and the resources of the land. When villages become dispersed or exterminated in times of war, this anthropological knowledge disappears.
Large cities are not as conducive to growing and producing foods such as fruits and vegetables. Villages, on the other hand, usually have ample amounts of land and other resources necessary for growing conditions.” The Importance of Villages by Catherine Capozzi
Our Mission
SheVille.org provides readers with information important to women’s lives and well-being. We focus primarily on the areas of education & health, business & finance, the arts & the environment. We are particularly interested in local & regional resources, organizations & events.